4.08.2011

State/Federal Budget


As long as there is no set government budget, it is likely that my father (internal revenue officer) will not be going to work on Monday and even more likely that he will not be getting paid. My mother has been working for about one month after being unemployed for over two years. All of this comes of course at a time when my parents are preparing to send me to college and my sister the year following.

We are only one family. I am certain there are more facing way more difficult challenges. The future of America is not looking so bright, but before we make the issue national we have to take a look at what’s going on at the state level. I live in Ohio and I’m sure we are not the only state facing budget cuts. Our brilliant governor, John Kasich, has decided that our public schools should take the hardest hit. I attend THE most diverse high school in all of Ohio. Princeton High School. No race/ethnicity holds the majority of our school’s population. Because of our size and diversity, we spend above the average amount of money per pupil. Why? Because we had the money to spend.
In 2004, a process to reduce the amount of funding our school received went into affect. We lost the Tangible Personal Property tax (TPP). Princeton is made up of eight or nine different communities. In these communities are several big businesses. (Avon, Ford, G.E.) We received tax dollars from the business and now we will no longer be receiving them. This was supposed to be a gradual decline over several years, however Kasich has required that our school cut 12 million dollars from our budget for next year. As a result, many of our staff has been RIFed.

AMERICA, OHIO: we would not be in this position if people did not vote on impulse! Nothing is more frustrating/scary than a misinformed/ill-informed voter. GET EDUCATED!

4.07.2011

I Just Can't Find the Words

I’ve had a lot to say recently. Sadly, I’m still working out the wording. I have also been in the college planning process, adding to my extended absence of postings here. If only I had some money, this process would be so much easier.

My dad acts as if the process is easy. It would be if we had nothing. He forgets that he got his education paid for because he was able to show himself as independent from his parents. Things have changed and I’m not afforded that luxury. I actually have to work for mine. Not to say that he didn’t, I’m just saying it’s harder now because we’re not in poverty nor do we have an abundance of wealth.

Dilemma? Eh.. Sure, but I don't see a way around it other than my inconsistent grind. Inconsistent because, well.. It's certainly not a continuous effort on my part. I allow myself to feel defeated at the first sign of opposition and that is an issue I hope to adjust quickly.